September 7 has been marked by numerous significant events throughout history.
This article explores twenty remarkable occurrences on this date, ranging from ancient military conquests to pivotal cultural and political milestones.
Join us as we chronologically journey through time, uncovering the stories and lasting impacts of these historical moments.
September 7th – On this Day in History
70 – Roman Army Occupies and Plunders Jerusalem
In the year 70, a Roman army led by Titus, the future emperor, besieged and ultimately captured the city of Jerusalem during the First Jewish-Roman War. This event marked a significant moment in Roman and Jewish history.
The Romans breached the city’s defenses after a prolonged siege, leading to the destruction of the Second Temple, a critical loss for the Jewish people.
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The city’s fall not only demonstrated the might of the Roman military but also had lasting religious and cultural implications, cementing the diaspora of the Jewish population and altering the landscape of Judea.
1191 – Battle of Arsuf During the Third Crusade
The Battle of Arsuf on September 7, 1191, was a key engagement during the Third Crusade. Richard I of England, known as Richard the Lionheart, led the Crusader forces against Saladin, the Sultan of Egypt and Syria.

The battle took place near the coastal city of Arsuf, north of Jaffa. Richard’s forces managed to withstand repeated attacks by Saladin’s troops and ultimately forced a retreat, securing a crucial victory.
This battle showcased Richard’s military prowess and helped to bolster the Crusader position in the Holy Land, although it did not lead to the immediate recapture of Jerusalem.
1630 – Founding of Boston, Massachusetts
On September 7, 1630, the city of Boston was officially founded by a group of Puritan colonists from England. Led by John Winthrop, these settlers established the Massachusetts Bay Colony’s capital, choosing the Shawmut Peninsula for its strategic location and natural harbor.
Boston quickly grew into a significant colonial hub due to its economic opportunities and its role in the burgeoning Puritan community.
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The city’s founding marked the beginning of its development into a key site of political and cultural influence in American history, eventually becoming central to the events leading up to the American Revolution.
1701 – Battle of Chiari During the War of the Spanish Succession
The Battle of Chiari, fought on September 7, 1701, was an early conflict in the War of the Spanish Succession. Austrian and Prussian troops under the command of Prince Eugene of Savoy faced off against French forces. The battle took place in northern Italy, near the town of Chiari.
Eugene’s forces managed to inflict significant casualties on the French, forcing them to retreat. This victory was crucial for the Grand Alliance, as it thwarted French attempts to dominate the Italian peninsula and set the stage for further Allied successes in the war.
The battle underscored Prince Eugene’s strategic acumen and bolstered the morale of the anti-French coalition.
1776 – World’s First Submarine Attack
On September 7, 1776, the American submersible craft Turtle attempted the first recorded submarine attack in history.
Designed by American inventor David Bushnell, the Turtle was an early submarine intended for use against British naval vessels during the American Revolutionary War. Its target was the HMS Eagle, a British warship anchored in New York Harbor.
The operator, Sergeant Ezra Lee, piloted the Turtle beneath the Eagle and attempted to attach a time bomb to its hull. Although the mission was ultimately unsuccessful due to technical difficulties, the attempt marked a pioneering moment in naval warfare and the use of submarines in combat.
1812 – Battle of Borodino During the French Invasion of Russia

On September 7, 1812, the Battle of Borodino took place near Moscow as part of Napoleon Bonaparte’s invasion of Russia. This engagement was one of the bloodiest single-day battles of the Napoleonic Wars. The French Grande Armée, led by Napoleon, faced the Russian army under General Mikhail Kutuzov.
Despite achieving a tactical victory by forcing the Russians to retreat, the battle proved costly for both sides, with immense casualties. The French suffered significant losses, weakening their forces ahead of their march towards Moscow.
The Battle of Borodino demonstrated the resilience of the Russian defense and foreshadowed the harsh conditions that would eventually lead to the French army’s disastrous retreat from Russia.
1822 – Brazil Declares Independence from Portugal
September 7, 1822, is celebrated as the day Brazil declared its independence from Portugal. Under the leadership of Dom Pedro I, who became the first Emperor of Brazil, the country sought to break free from Portuguese colonial rule. The declaration came after years of growing tensions and dissatisfaction with Portuguese governance.
Dom Pedro’s famous cry of “Independência ou Morte!” (“Independence or Death!”) at the banks of the Ipiranga River marked the formal start of Brazil’s journey as a sovereign nation. The move towards independence was largely peaceful, leading to the establishment of the Empire of Brazil and setting the foundation for its future development as a nation.
1857 – Mountain Meadows Massacre
The Mountain Meadows Massacre, one of the darkest events in American pioneer history, occurred on September 7, 1857. A wagon train of 120 emigrants from Arkansas, traveling through Utah Territory, was attacked by a group of Mormon settlers and Paiute Native Americans.
Over the course of several days, the attackers killed nearly all the men, women, and children in the party. This brutal massacre was driven by a combination of religious tensions, fears of invasion, and retaliation for previous conflicts involving Mormons.
The event left a lasting stain on the history of the region and led to a long, complex investigation and trial many years later, highlighting the intense and often violent clashes between different groups in the American West.
1901 – End of the Boxer Rebellion
The Boxer Rebellion, an anti-foreign, anti-colonial uprising in China, officially ended on September 7, 1901, with the signing of the Boxer Protocol. The rebellion, which had begun in 1899, was led by the “Boxers” (the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists) who sought to expel foreign influences from China.

The conflict escalated into widespread violence against foreigners and Chinese Christians. An international coalition, including forces from Japan, Russia, Britain, France, the United States, Germany, Italy, and Austria-Hungary, intervened to suppress the uprising.
The Boxer Protocol imposed severe penalties on China, including large indemnities and the stationing of foreign troops in Beijing. This treaty marked a significant moment in China’s modern history, deepening foreign control and influencing the country’s subsequent path towards revolution and reform.
1911 – Arrest of Guillaume Apollinaire
On September 7, 1911, French poet Guillaume Apollinaire was arrested on suspicion of stealing the Mona Lisa from the Louvre. The famed painting had been stolen a few weeks earlier, and Apollinaire’s association with a known art thief, Géry Piéret, brought him under suspicion.
Although Apollinaire was later released and cleared of all charges, the incident had a lasting impact on his reputation. The real culprit, Vincenzo Peruggia, an Italian handyman who believed the painting should be returned to Italy, was caught two years later.
Apollinaire’s brief imprisonment highlighted the complexities and intrigues of the Parisian art world in the early 20th century, and it remains a curious footnote in the history of one of the most famous art thefts of all time.
1921 – The First Miss America Pageant
On September 7, 1921, the first Miss America Pageant was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The event was conceived as a means to extend the summer tourist season beyond Labor Day. Margaret Gorman, a 16-year-old from Washington, D.C., won the inaugural competition, which combined elements of a beauty contest with personality and poise evaluations.
The pageant quickly grew in popularity, becoming a significant cultural event in the United States. It evolved to include talent performances and interviews, reflecting changing social attitudes towards women and beauty.
The Miss America Pageant has since become an enduring institution, celebrating its centennial in 2021, and remains a platform for young women to advocate for social causes and scholarships.
1923 – Founding of INTERPOL
On September 7, 1923, the International Criminal Police Organization, better known as INTERPOL, was founded in Vienna, Austria.
The organization’s creation was driven by the need for international cooperation in combating cross-border crime. Initially, it was called the International Criminal Police Commission (ICPC) and was later renamed INTERPOL in 1956.
INTERPOL’s role is to facilitate collaboration among police forces from different countries, providing a platform for sharing information and coordinating efforts to tackle crimes that transcend national boundaries, such as human trafficking, drug smuggling, terrorism, and cybercrime.
1936 – Death of the Last Thylacine
On September 7, 1936, the last known thylacine, or Tasmanian tiger, died in captivity at the Hobart Zoo in Tasmania. The thylacine was a carnivorous marsupial native to Tasmania, Australia, and New Guinea, known for its distinctive striped back. Intensive hunting, habitat destruction, and disease contributed to the species’ decline.
The death of this last individual marked the extinction of the thylacine, although there have been occasional, unverified reports of sightings since then. The extinction of the thylacine serves as a poignant reminder of the impact of human activity on wildlife and has sparked increased efforts in conservation to prevent similar losses of other endangered species.
1940 – The Blitz Begins in London
On September 7, 1940, Nazi Germany initiated a sustained bombing campaign against London, known as The Blitz. This aerial assault marked the beginning of a strategic effort by the Germans to demoralize the British population and force the United Kingdom to surrender.

For 57 consecutive nights, London was bombed, resulting in widespread destruction and significant civilian casualties. The resilience of the British people during The Blitz became a symbol of defiance and unity.
Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s speeches and the efforts of ordinary citizens to maintain their daily lives under constant threat of bombing played a crucial role in bolstering national morale. The Blitz had profound effects on British society and contributed to the eventual Allied victory in World War II.
1942 – Battle of Milne Bay
On September 7, 1942, during World War II, Australian and American forces achieved a decisive victory against Japanese troops at the Battle of Milne Bay in Papua New Guinea. This battle was the first significant defeat of Japanese land forces during the Pacific War.
The Japanese aimed to capture Milne Bay to use it as a base for further operations in the region. However, the Allied forces, well-prepared and forewarned by intelligence reports, repelled the Japanese assault.
The victory at Milne Bay boosted Allied morale and demonstrated the effectiveness of joint Australian-American military cooperation. It also marked a turning point in the Pacific theater, as it halted Japanese expansion and set the stage for further Allied offensives.
1953 – Nikita Khrushchev Elected First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
On September 7, 1953, Nikita Khrushchev was elected the First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, marking a significant shift in Soviet leadership. Following the death of Joseph Stalin in March 1953, a power struggle ensued among top Soviet officials. Khrushchev’s election solidified his position as the leading figure in the Soviet Union.
He is best known for his efforts to de-Stalinize the country, initiating policies that reduced the widespread repression and promoted more openness within the Soviet government. Khrushchev’s tenure saw significant events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis and the beginnings of the Space Race. His leadership style and policies left a lasting impact on both the Soviet Union and the broader Cold War dynamics.
1963 – Pro Football Hall of Fame Opens
On September 7, 1963, the Pro Football Hall of Fame officially opened in Canton, Ohio. The establishment of the Hall of Fame aimed to honor the achievements and contributions of professional American football players, coaches, and others associated with the sport.
The opening ceremony inducted 17 charter members, including legendary figures like George Halas, Jim Thorpe, and Red Grange. Located in the birthplace of the National Football League (NFL), the Hall of Fame has since become a pilgrimage site for football fans, chronicling the history and evolution of the sport.
It also serves as a venue for the annual Hall of Fame Game and enshrinement ceremonies, celebrating the legacy of football excellence.
1977 – Signing of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties
On September 7, 1977, the Torrijos-Carter Treaties were signed by U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Panamanian leader General Omar Torrijos. These treaties marked a pivotal moment in U.S.-Panama relations, as they agreed to the gradual transfer of control over the Panama Canal from the United States to Panama.
The treaties addressed longstanding Panamanian demands for sovereignty over the canal, which had been under U.S. control since its completion in 1914. The agreements stipulated that Panama would take full control of the canal by December 31, 1999, and also guaranteed the canal’s neutrality.
The signing of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties was seen as a major step towards improving U.S.-Latin American relations and respecting the sovereignty of nations in the region.
1978 – Assassination of Georgi Markov
On September 7, 1978, Bulgarian dissident writer and journalist Georgi Markov was assassinated in London in a case that became one of the most infamous acts of Cold War espionage. While walking across Waterloo Bridge, Markov felt a sharp pain in his leg, later attributed to a pellet containing the lethal toxin ricin.
This pellet was believed to have been fired from a specially-designed umbrella. Markov, a critic of Bulgaria’s communist regime, died a few days later. The assassination is widely suspected to have been orchestrated by the Bulgarian secret police with assistance from the Soviet KGB.
Markov’s death highlighted the lengths to which Eastern Bloc intelligence services would go to silence dissidents and has remained a chilling example of Cold War-era political assassinations.
2008 – U.S. Government Takes Control of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
On September 7, 2008, in response to the severe financial crisis, the United States government took control of the two largest mortgage financing companies in the country, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
This intervention was one of the largest in the history of the U.S. financial system and aimed to stabilize the housing market and protect the broader economy. The government placed the two entities under conservatorship of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), injecting substantial capital to ensure their solvency.
The takeover was critical in preventing further collapse of the housing market and was part of broader efforts to address the global financial crisis that began in 2007. This move underscored the significant role of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the U.S. housing finance system and the broader economy.